Photo Credit: Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON, Mich. -- Michigan Tech athletics has named its major award winners from the 2008-09 season. Jen Jung (Andover, Minn.) and Keith White (Rhinelander, Wis.) were named Raymond L. Smith Award winners as the school’s outstanding senior female and male student-athletes of the year. Petter Sjulstad (Krokstadelva, Norway) and Molly Wiltzius (Kingsford, Mich.) both earned the Terry Wilson Awards as the top freshman student-athletes of 2008-09. Mike VanWagner (Traverse City, Mich.) was selected as the department’s Rick Webster “SISU” Award winner.

Jung earned All-America honorable mention accolades from the American Volleyball Coaches Association last fall after she recorded 148 blocks—third-most in the nation. The four-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection finished her career with a school-record 569 blocks. She helped Tech to two NCAA Tournament appearances during her four years as a Husky.

White finished a stellar football career as Tech’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,377. The team co-captain posted 63 catches for 944 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior en route to being named Academic All-America First Team. In addition to his receiving yards record, White ranks second all-time in receptions (146) and receiving touchdowns (22).

Sjulstad, a native of Norway, skied his way to the NCAA National Championships as a rookie. He was an All-Central Collegiate Skiing Association performer as well as an all-region honoree. Sjulstad won a NCAA Central Region qualifying race at Mt. Itasca, and turned in the program’s best-ever finish at a US Nationals event by placing eighth in a sprint race.

Wiltzius, a member of the track and field team, set the school record in the discus as a freshman. Her throw of 139 feet, four inches was nearly 18 feet better than the previous record holder (Mary Lou Lund, 121-4.75). Wiltzius placed fourth at the GLIAC Championships, the highest by any Tech athlete.

The “SISU” Award is a special honor bestowed upon an individual associated with athletics at Michigan Tech who has overcome adversity, exhibited courage through difficult situations, performed with pain/injury, or performed admirably after recovering from a severe injury. The word “SISU” comes from the Finnish language meaning “guts,” and was exemplified through the perseverance of Rick Webster, who was paralyzed during the spring football game on April 4, 1974. Webster’s bravery and determination allowed him to complete his degree and successfully find employment despite his handicap.

VanWagner was the definition of guts in 2008-09 as he played through extreme pain. The hockey defenseman battled hip injuries and a broken rib to take the ice in 24 games for the Huskies. He tallied one assist on the year.

Michigan Tech’s major award winners will be recognized formally at a football halftime ceremony this fall.